US4820172A - Composite electrical connector for apparatus installed in a vehicle - Google Patents

Composite electrical connector for apparatus installed in a vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US4820172A
US4820172A US07/144,807 US14480788A US4820172A US 4820172 A US4820172 A US 4820172A US 14480788 A US14480788 A US 14480788A US 4820172 A US4820172 A US 4820172A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
contact
unit
frame
circuit unit
circuit board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/144,807
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English (en)
Inventor
Klaus Wolkewitz
Alfons Scheck
Kurt Seeberger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Blaupunkt Werke GmbH
Original Assignee
Blaupunkt Werke GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Blaupunkt Werke GmbH filed Critical Blaupunkt Werke GmbH
Assigned to BLAUPUNKT-WERKE GMBH, A CORP. OF GERMANY reassignment BLAUPUNKT-WERKE GMBH, A CORP. OF GERMANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: SCHECK, ALFONS, SEEBERGER, KURT, WOLKEWITZ, KLAUS
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4820172A publication Critical patent/US4820172A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R16/00Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
    • B60R16/02Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
    • B60R16/023Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements for transmission of signals between vehicle parts or subsystems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/719Structural association with built-in electrical component specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a composite electrical connector to be wired to an electrical apparatus such as the radio of a motor vehicle, and preferably to be mounted on the structure or casing of the apparatus, for making connection to a mating connector provided on cabling installed in the vehicle.
  • the invention concerns a composite electrical connector which with very slight changes not involving its physical structure can be utilized for connecting virtually any model of automobile radio into the cabling of virtually any make or model of automobile.
  • the composite connector is made of detachable parts, a first one providing a connection interface for a mating connector of a cable installed in the vehicle and a second one for being wired to the inputs and outputs of the radio or of some other much-used electrical equipment installed in a vehicle.
  • an installed radio may be of a size and location such that the mechanical connection of the cabling of the car to the radio may not easily be made by plugging the cable connector into a chassis connector on the radio either directly or with an adaptor
  • the composite connector of the invention although it is mountable directly on a casing or other structural surface of the radio, does not need to be mounted on the radio itself in all cases and may be connected with some appropriate length of flat multiconductor cable coming out from the radio, so as to provide a possibility for locating the composite connector at any reasonable distance from the radio in special cases.
  • the unit that provides the interface with the cable connector of the vehicle includes a circuit board for interconnecting the contact members that make contact with the cable connector to another set of contact members for plugging into another unit which contains the wired connections to the radio. That other unit also contains components for protection of the circuits against electrical disturbances and these are carried on a circuit board in that unit.
  • the unit which provides the wired connections to the radio has a detachable spacing frame for surrounding the wired connections, in order to provide wiring space between its circuit board and the mounting surface for the connector.
  • the invention has the advantage that it becomes easy and economical to adapt a particular model of the particular electronic equipment with whatever cable connection is provided on the factory-installed wiring of any of a wide variety of vehicles.
  • the invention is applicable not only to all kinds of radio receivers, but also to other electronic apparatus as for example cassette and compact disc players, recorders and radio transmitters.
  • the flexibility of application of the basic connector structure of the invention is useful not only for the installation of original equipment, but also for subsequent retrofitting.
  • the invention makes possible a great reduction of the number of different types of connectors in manufacture and storage.
  • One particular kind of cable connector in a vehicle needs to be connected with only one embodiment of the detachable unit of the connector, while the number of different second units for being wired to the electrical equipment depends only on the number of varieties of the electrical equipment and is not multiplied by the number of vehicle types.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment in the invention
  • FIG. 2a is a cross-section of a detachable unit of the connector for matinq with the connector of a vehicle cable;
  • FIG. 2b is a view of the same unit shown in FIG. 2a from the electrical equipment side with the circuit board 14 of FIG. 2a omitted from the view, also showing by the line A--A the particular cross-section shown in FIG. 2a;
  • FIGS. 3a is a front view
  • FIG. 3b is a side view
  • FIG. 3c is a top view of the rear unit of the composite connector, with its spacing frame detached therefrom, and
  • FIG. 4a is a front view
  • FIG. 4b is a side view
  • FIG. 4c is a top view of a median cross-section of the spacing frame of the rear unit of the composite connector.
  • the composite connector of the invention is shown fully assembled and mounted in FIG. 1. It consists of a first (detachable) contact and circuit unit 1, a second contact and circuit unit 2 and spacing frame 3. It is fastened at the side of an automobile radio casing.
  • the casing side wall 4 is all that is shown of the automobile radio in the drawings.
  • the casing side wall 4 is so shaped that a nook provided at one of the rear corners of the radio receiver, so that the connector of the invention lies essentially within the rectangular contour of the auto radio but still outside the casing of the radio.
  • the first contact and circuit unit 1 has a one-piece molded plastic part consisting of a base plate 6 and a frame 5. Partition strips 7, 8 subdivide the interior of the frame 5 into various chambers 9, 10, 11 and 12 open at the front and each enclosing the forward ends of flat strip contacts such as the contacts 13, which are held by being preferably molded into the base plate 6.
  • the contacts of the chamber 9 are for the operating voltage, for control of a motorized antenna and for connection of the tuning scale or digital display illumination of the auto radio to the adjustable operating voltage which is provided for the dashboard illumination.
  • the contacts for four loud speakers including their common chassis ground connection.
  • Keyway grooves 41, 42, and 43 are respectively provided in chambers 9, 10 and 11 for protection against mistaken false insertion of the mating connector plug (not shown) which is a part of the cabling installation of the vehicle.
  • the chamber 12 is provided for connection-securing means described below.
  • FIG. 2a is a cross-section along the line A--A designated in FIG. 2b.
  • FIG. 2b is a view of the first contact and circuit unit seen from the side facing the auto radio equipment, but with the circuit board 14 of in FIG. 2a removed or not yet put into place.
  • the circuit board 14 is shown only in FIG. 2a. It connects the flat-strip contacts 13 with the blade contacts 15 set in rows just inside opposite edges of the base plate 6.
  • At least one grasping contact spring 16 capable of providing a snap connections to a corresponding plug extending from the mating connector (not shown) of the vehicle cabling is provided for assuring a mechanical connection that will not shake loose.
  • the illustrated clasp spring 16 is located, as already mentioned, in the cavity 12 shown in FIG. 1. It may be mentioned at this point that projections 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 1 are provided at one side of the cavity 12 for insertion in a guiding keyway of the mating connector (not shown) of the vehicle cabling.
  • the blade contacts 15 each have a solder lug portion 17 projecting through the circuit board 14 and have a sawtooth tongue 18 anchored in the injection molded plastic body which comprises the base plate 6 and the frame 5.
  • a bore 19 is provided both in the base plate 6 and in the circuit board 14 for passage of a fastening screw, not shown in the drawing, by which the first contact and circuit unit now being described can be fastened to an internally threaded cylindrical column indicated as by the broken circle 19a in FIG. 2b, actually mounted on the interior of the sidewall 4 of the automobile radio in a manner not shown in the drawings.
  • the kind and number of the contacts in the first contact and circuit unit, as well as the subdivision of the unit into individuals chambers, is to be designed and manufactured so as to fit the particular vehicle in which the auto radio or other electrical equipment needs to be installed. Consequently, instead of the flat strip contacts 13, round rods or tubes could be used for contacts.
  • the blade contacts 15, on the other hand, are provided for the various voltages and signals in a manner that does not vary according the different vehicles into which a radio is to be installed. These voltages and signals going to or coming from the radio to be installed are supplied or taken from the second contact and circuit unit 2, shown assembled with the first unit in FIG. 1.
  • This second unit in addition to carrying contacts and connections thereto also contains components that are, essentially, means for providing some protection of electrical circuits against extraneous disturbances, such as automobile engine ignition noise, for example.
  • a single set of contacts 23, each going from front to back of the unit, are mounted in this case on an open frame 22, in two opposite sides of the frame in which they are embedded.
  • the contacts 23 are contact springs having bifurcated ends for making spring contact in each case with one of the blade contacts 15 of the first contact and circuit unit.
  • the spring contacts 23 have solder lug portions 24 which pass through holes in the circuit board 21 located at the rear of the frame 22 and are soldered to contact areas of the circuit paths thereof.
  • the space inside of the frame 22 allows for the provision of circuit components 55, 56 (installed on the circuit board 21 before it is put in place) for the disturbance-reducing circuits previously mentioned and of course the height or front-to-back dimension of the frame 22 must be sufficient for accommodating these components.
  • a spacing frame shown at 3 in FIG. 1, and illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b and 4c, is provided to assure room for the soldered connections to the solder lugs 24 of the spring contacts 23 to the circuit board 21 and likewise for the connections of the conductors of the flat cables to the circuit board.
  • the spacing frame 3 like the frame 22 of the second contact and circuit unit 2, is an injection molded part.
  • a preferred material for the body 5, 6 of the unit 1 is a material available commercially under the designation "Makrolon" PC 8025-1. This being the case, the same material is also preferably used for the frames 3 and 22.
  • FIG. 3a is a view from the front of the frame 3 which fits against the circuit board 21 which, in turn, is seated on the frame 22 of the second unit 2.
  • FIG. 4b is a side view from one of the narrow sides of the frame 3 and FIG. 4 is a cross-section along the line C--C of FIG. 4a.
  • Spring clips 31 and 32 are provided on opposite inner sides of the frame 3 for snap fastening the frame 3 (FIG. 4a) to the side wall 4 (FIG. 1) of the auto radio.
  • spring clips 33 and 34 are provided extending in the other direction for snap fastening the frame 3 to the remainder of the second contact and circuit unit 2 of the composite connector, this being done by the spring clips catching into apertures in the frame 22 of the second unit, one of which apertures is shown at 27 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3c.
  • These spring clips hold the composite connector together as it is assembled and also in while it is in use. The connector is fastened in place by the use of the screw fastening already described in connection with the bore 19 shown in FIG. 2b.
  • the spacing frame 3 is inwardly offset at 36 and 37 at opposite sides, in order to provide space for the flat conductor cables or conductors which may be required to pass through the cutouts 25 (FIG. 3b) of the second contact and circuit unit 2 for completing connections between the circuit board 21 and the inside of the automobile radio.
  • the detachable first contact and circuit unit 1 which is particularly illustrated in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b is fastened to the frame 22 of the second unit 2, as already mentioned, by two spring clips 39, only one of which is visible in FIG. 1.
  • An additional mounting clip or guide is shown at 70 in FIG. 1. Again, two such optional guides could be used for opposite sides of the connector.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
US07/144,807 1987-01-19 1988-01-15 Composite electrical connector for apparatus installed in a vehicle Expired - Fee Related US4820172A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE3701373 1987-01-19
DE19873701373 DE3701373A1 (de) 1987-01-19 1987-01-19 Anordnung zum elektrischen anschluss eines geraetes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4820172A true US4820172A (en) 1989-04-11

Family

ID=6319065

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/144,807 Expired - Fee Related US4820172A (en) 1987-01-19 1988-01-15 Composite electrical connector for apparatus installed in a vehicle

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4820172A (de)
EP (1) EP0275496B1 (de)
JP (1) JPS63198271A (de)
BR (1) BR8800140A (de)
DE (2) DE3701373A1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4963099A (en) * 1988-03-25 1990-10-16 Yazaki Corporation Electrical junction box
US5442170A (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-08-15 Balco, Incorporated Programmable cable adaptor for connecting different automobile computers to diagnostic equipment
EP1045478A1 (de) * 1999-04-16 2000-10-18 Mannesmann VDO Aktiengesellschaft Elektrisches Gerät
US6531657B1 (en) 2002-01-31 2003-03-11 Metra Electronics Corporation Adapter wire harness for installing different autosound components into different vehicles
EP1577983A2 (de) * 2004-03-17 2005-09-21 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Elektrischer Verbindungskasten

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4133169A1 (de) * 1991-10-07 1993-04-08 Abb Patent Gmbh Gehaeuse fuer einbaugeraete mit einem anschlussblock
DE19630503A1 (de) * 1996-07-29 1998-02-05 Bosch Gmbh Robert Vorrichtung zum elektrischen Anschluß eines Gerätes, insbesondere eines Autoradios, in einem Kraftfahrzeug
DE19730048A1 (de) * 1997-07-14 1999-01-21 Bosch Gmbh Robert Anschlußkasten für ein Autoradio
DE19730049A1 (de) * 1997-07-14 1999-01-21 Bosch Gmbh Robert Anschlußkasten für ein Autoradio
DE10163998A1 (de) * 2001-12-24 2003-07-03 Volkswagen Ag Schaltung für einen Lautsprecher in einem Kraftfahrzeug

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3996500A (en) * 1975-06-16 1976-12-07 Richco Plastic Company Chassis connector and circuit board clip
US4355853A (en) * 1977-05-21 1982-10-26 Amp Incorporated Electrical junction box
US4555156A (en) * 1984-11-16 1985-11-26 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector assembly having mating and unmating removable keys
US4669793A (en) * 1985-02-05 1987-06-02 Yazaki Corporation Mating type electric connector box structure
US4737888A (en) * 1986-08-22 1988-04-12 Molex Incorporated Receptacle assembly and mounting bracket for circuit board connections

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7619029U1 (de) * 1976-06-16 1977-03-10 Blaupunkt-Werke Gmbh, 3200 Hildesheim Vorrichtung zum anschliessen eines autoradios
US4063683A (en) * 1976-06-24 1977-12-20 Jones Leslie R Radio mounting bracket
JPS57168540A (en) * 1981-04-10 1982-10-16 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Noise preventing device and its production for electronic controller

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3996500A (en) * 1975-06-16 1976-12-07 Richco Plastic Company Chassis connector and circuit board clip
US4355853A (en) * 1977-05-21 1982-10-26 Amp Incorporated Electrical junction box
US4555156A (en) * 1984-11-16 1985-11-26 Amp Incorporated Electrical connector assembly having mating and unmating removable keys
US4669793A (en) * 1985-02-05 1987-06-02 Yazaki Corporation Mating type electric connector box structure
US4737888A (en) * 1986-08-22 1988-04-12 Molex Incorporated Receptacle assembly and mounting bracket for circuit board connections

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4963099A (en) * 1988-03-25 1990-10-16 Yazaki Corporation Electrical junction box
US5442170A (en) * 1994-04-15 1995-08-15 Balco, Incorporated Programmable cable adaptor for connecting different automobile computers to diagnostic equipment
EP1045478A1 (de) * 1999-04-16 2000-10-18 Mannesmann VDO Aktiengesellschaft Elektrisches Gerät
US6531657B1 (en) 2002-01-31 2003-03-11 Metra Electronics Corporation Adapter wire harness for installing different autosound components into different vehicles
EP1577983A2 (de) * 2004-03-17 2005-09-21 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Elektrischer Verbindungskasten
EP1577983A3 (de) * 2004-03-17 2005-11-16 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Elektrischer Verbindungskasten

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3701373A1 (de) 1988-07-28
JPS63198271A (ja) 1988-08-16
EP0275496A3 (en) 1990-08-29
DE3784481D1 (de) 1993-04-08
BR8800140A (pt) 1988-08-30
DE3701373C2 (de) 1990-11-22
EP0275496B1 (de) 1993-03-03
EP0275496A2 (de) 1988-07-27

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AS Assignment

Owner name: BLAUPUNKT-WERKE GMBH, ROBERT-BOSCH-STR. 200, D-320

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:WOLKEWITZ, KLAUS;SCHECK, ALFONS;SEEBERGER, KURT;REEL/FRAME:004862/0472

Effective date: 19880222

Owner name: BLAUPUNKT-WERKE GMBH, A CORP. OF GERMANY, GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WOLKEWITZ, KLAUS;SCHECK, ALFONS;SEEBERGER, KURT;REEL/FRAME:004862/0472

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Effective date: 19930411

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Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362